Multifunction control system

ABSTRACT

A control system for a vehicle with a plurality of selectively variable characteristics includes a first button depressible to cause a first mode of operation and a second button depressible to cause a second mode of operation. In the first mode of operation, a rotary dial is rotatable to cause variation of the first characteristic. In the second mode of operation, the rotary dial is rotatable to cause variation of the second characteristic. The control system thus enables a single dial to control multiple characteristics or multiple vehicle systems, which enables a corresponding reduction in the quantity of switches and other control input devices in a vehicle passenger compartment.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent No. 60/591,121, filed Jul. 26, 2004, and which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to multifunction control systems wherein rotation of a dial in a first mode of operation varies a first characteristic and rotation of the dial in a second mode of operation varies a second characteristic.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A motor vehicle typically includes a multitude of components and systems that enhance the comfort and convenience of the driver and passengers. Such systems include, for example, audio systems having a radio, speakers, compact disc player, and cassette player; climate systems having heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, components; navigational systems; etc.

Each of the systems typically includes an interface through which the driver of the vehicle can interact with the system. For example, control of a system requires that the driver of the vehicle input command information via the interface to which the system is responsive to vary a system characteristic. Each system may also supply information to the driver via the interface. For example, an audio system will indicate the radio station to which it is tuned, a climate control system will indicate the fan speed or the thermostat setting, and a navigational system will indicate location information.

Each system typically includes its own dedicated interface. Thus, for example, a climate control system includes a plurality of switches, buttons, dials, etc. that are operable to control only the climate control system. Similarly, an audio system includes a plurality of switches, buttons, dials, etc. that are operable only to control the audio system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A control apparatus for a vehicle characterized by first, second, third, and fourth variable characteristics is provided. The control apparatus includes first and second buttons being selectively depressible, a first dial and a second dial. The first and second dials are selectively rotatable about a common axis. A controller is operatively connected to the first and second buttons and to the dial.

The control apparatus is configured such that depressing the first button causes the controller to operate in a first mode in which rotation of the first dial causes the controller to alter the first variable characteristic, and in which rotation of the second dial causes the controller to alter the second variable characteristic. The control apparatus is also configured such that depressing the second button causes the controller to operate in a second mode in which rotation of the first dial causes the controller to alter the third variable characteristic, and rotation of the second dial causes the controller to alter the fourth variable characteristic.

Thus, the dials are reconfigurable to control multiple vehicle systems or multiple variable characteristics, effectively reducing the number of input devices in a vehicle cockpit. The control apparatus thus provides increased interior styling options compared to the prior art by reducing the styling constraints imposed by a large quantity of input devices. By reducing the number of input devices in a vehicle cockpit, the multifunction control apparatus may also improve human-vehicle interaction by enabling input devices that are situated in preferred locations within easy reach of the driver to control more vehicle systems.

Examples of vehicle systems include a climate system having variable characteristics such as air temperature, fan speed, and air flow mode; an audio system having variable characteristics such as radio tuner frequency, volume, compact disc track playing; a navigational system having variable characteristics such as point of interest selected, address selected, programmable vehicle destination information, etc.

The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best modes for carrying out the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic depiction of a vehicle with vehicular systems and a control system with buttons, rotary dials, and a display for controlling the vehicular systems;

FIG. 1 a is a schematic elevational view of the dials of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram depicting an exemplary control program for the control system of FIG. 1 in a first operating mode;

FIG. 3 is a schematic depiction of the display of FIG. 1 in the first operating mode;

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram depicting an exemplary control program for the control system of FIG. 1 in a second operating mode;

FIG. 5 is a schematic depiction of the display of FIG. 1 in the second operating mode;

FIG. 6 is a schematic depiction of the display of FIG. 1 in a submode of the second operating mode;

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram depicting an exemplary control program for the control system of FIG. 1 in a third operating mode;

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram depicting an exemplary control program for the control system of FIG. 1 in a fourth operating mode;

FIG. 9 is a schematic depiction of the display of FIG. 1 in the fourth operating mode;

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram depicting an exemplary control program for the control system of FIG. 1 in fifth, sixth, and seventh operating modes;

FIG. 11 is a schematic depiction of the display of FIG. 1 in the sixth operating mode; and

FIG. 12 is a schematic depiction of the display of FIG. 1 in an eighth operating mode.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, a control system 10 for a vehicle 14 is schematically depicted. The vehicle 14 includes a climate system 18, an audio system 22, a navigation system 26, and a driver information system 30. Each of systems 18, 22, 26, 30 is characterized by selectively variable system characteristics. In an exemplary embodiment, the audio system 22 includes components such as a radio, tape player, compact disk player, and speakers. In an exemplary embodiment, the climate system 18 includes components such as an air conditioner for providing cooled air, a heater for providing heated air, and ducts and vents for providing the heated or cooled air to the vehicle passenger compartment (not shown). The ducts are configured to selectively provide air to a first set of vents below an instrument panel, to a second set of vents formed inside the instrument panel and positioned to direct air generally rearward, and a third set of vents formed in the instrument panel and positioned to direct air to a windshield for use in defrosting, as understood by those skilled in the art.

The control system 10 includes a display 34 divisible into quadrants 38A, 38B, 38C and 38D. Each quadrant is dedicated to the display of information pertaining to a respective one of the vehicle systems 18, 22, 26, 30 when the control system 10 is in a base mode of operation. More specifically, quadrant 38A displays icons 42A, 42B indicative of the status of variable characteristics of the climate control system 18. Icon 42A is a numeric icon indicating the temperature of air being injected into the passenger compartment of the vehicle by the climate system 18. Icon 42B is an icon indicating the present airflow mode of the climate system 18, i.e., from which set of vents air is being injected into the passenger compartment.

Quadrant 38B displays icons 46A, 46B, 46C, 46D indicative of the status of variable characteristics of the audio system 22. Icon 46A is indicative of the general source from which the audio system 22 is receiving audial content which, in FIG. 1, is a schematic depiction of a compact disk to indicate that the audio system 22 is obtaining audio content from a compact disk player. Icons 46B, 46C, 46D are alphanumeric representation of the specific source of audial content. Icon 46B indicates which of several stored compact disks is playing. Icon 46C indicates which track of the compact disk is playing. Icon 46D indicates, in minutes and seconds, the portion of the track that is being played.

Quadrant 38C displays icon 50 indicative of variable characteristics of the navigation system 26. Icon 50 in FIG. 1 depicts textual instructions for the direction and distance in which to travel for the driver of the vehicle to reach a desired destination. Icon 50 also includes an arrow indicating the desired direction of travel. Quadrant 38D displays icon 54 indicative of present driver information system settings which, in FIG. 1, is the time to which the vehicle clock is set.

The display depicts a circular window 58 that is situated between the quadrants 38A-D. When the driver of the vehicle is not interacting with the control system, i.e., in the base mode, the window 58 displays a clock including time and date as shown in FIG. 1. A rectangular section 62 of the display 34 is situated underneath or below the quadrants 38A-D. Section 62 includes a plurality of icons 66A-E arranged linearly within section 62. In FIG. 1, each of icons 66A-E is representative of a respective compact disk player command or function. Icon 66A represents a command to play the previous track of the compact disk playing in the audio system; icon 66B represents a command to play the next track of the compact disk playing in the audio system; icon 66C represents a command to “rewind” the compact disk playing in the audio system; icon 66D represents a command to “fast forward” the compact disk playing in the audio system; and icon 66E represents a command to “pause” the compact disk playing in the audio system. Those skilled in the art will recognize and understand the compact disk commands and functions represented by icons 66A-E.

The display 34 is sufficiently located within the vehicle for viewing by a driver or passenger. Exemplary display locations include the vehicle instrument panel, gauge cluster, heads up display, base of windshield, A-pillar, etc.

The control system 10 further includes an input interface 70 consisting of buttons and rotary dials. The input interface 70 is preferably located on the center console of the vehicle. However, those skilled in the art will recognize a variety of other appropriate locations at which the input interface 70 may be located within the vehicle within the scope of the claimed invention. For example, the input interface 70 may be on a steering wheel, instrument panel, etc.

The input interface 70 includes four buttons 74A-D that are arranged in the same spatial relationship to one another as the quadrants 38A-D in the display 34. The interface 70 also includes an inner rotary dial 78 and an outer rotary dial 80. The inner and outer rotary dials 78, 80 are arranged concentrically about axis A and have the same spatial relationship with respect to buttons 74A-D as the spatial relationship window 58 has with respect to quadrants 38A-D. Buttons 74A-D protrude from surface 84, and are selectively depressible. Referring to FIG. 1 a, buttons 74A and 74B are depicted in their respective depressed positions at 74A′ and 74B′. The inner dial 78 protrudes farther from surface 84 than outer dial 80, and is selectively depressible to a depressed position shown at 78′ Outer dial. 80 defines an annular aperture 82 through which inner dial 78 extends. Outer dial 80 also has a larger radial dimension from the axis A than inner dial 78. The direction of travel of buttons 74A-D from their respective nondepressed positions to their respective depressed positions is parallel to the axis of rotation A of dials 78, 80. Referring again to FIG. 1, buttons 74A-D and dial 80 are biased in their respective non-depressed positions. Dials 78, 80 are selectively rotatable about axis A.

The input interface 70 further includes a plurality of push buttons 88A-E arranged linearly, each corresponding to a respective one of the functions represented by the icons in section 62 of the display 34, which, in FIG. 1, are icons 66A-E.

The control system 10 includes a controller 82 configured to receive input signals 92 from the interface 70, and configured to transmit control signals 96 to the display 34, the climate control system 18, the audio system 22, the navigational system 26, and the driver information system 30 so that the control system 10 functions as described herein.

Each of the four buttons 74A-D is depressible to cause the control system 10 to operate in a respective one of at least four modes of operation. In each of the four modes of operation, inner and outer dials 78, 80 are rotatable to effect a change in a different characteristic. More specifically, depressing button 74A causes the control system 10 to operate in a first mode in which the inner dial 78 is rotatable to vary a first characteristic of the climate system and the outer dial 80 is rotatable to vary a second characteristic of the climate system. Accordingly, button 74A is sometimes referred to herein as the “climate system button.” Depressing button 74B causes the control system to operate in a second mode in which the inner dial 78 is rotatable to vary a first characteristic of the audio system and the outer dial 80 is rotatable to vary a second characteristic of the audio system. Accordingly, button 74B is sometimes referred to herein as the “audio system button.” Depressing button 74C causes the control system to operate in a third mode in which the inner dial 78 is rotatable to vary a first characteristic of the navigational system and the outer dial 80 is rotatable to vary a second characteristic of the navigational system. Accordingly, button 74C is sometimes referred to herein as the “navigation system button.” Depressing button 74D causes the control system to operate in a fourth mode in which the inner dial 78 is rotatable to vary a first characteristic of the driver information system and the outer dial 80 is rotatable to vary a second characteristic of the driver information system. Accordingly, button 74D is sometimes referred to herein as the “driver information system button.”

It should be noted that depressing one of the buttons for an extended period of time, or depressing one of the buttons multiple times, may also cause the control system to enter other modes of operation in which the dials 78, 80 are rotatable to vary other characteristics.

It may be desirable to employ an audio output device to provide audial feedback to the driver. The audio output device would be operatively connected to the controller such that the audio output device generates sounds, such as chimes or beeps, in response to the manipulation of the buttons and dials.

In each mode of operation, the window 58 may display icons representative of the characteristics that are variable by rotation of the inner and outer dials. Accordingly, the appearances of the icons change in response to the rotation of the inner or outer dial to indicate the change or variation in the characteristic caused by the rotation.

Different icons may be depicted in section 62 of the display in each of the different modes to indicate various settings to which yet another variable characteristic may be set by depressing a corresponding one of buttons 88A-E. Thus, for example, in the base mode shown in FIG. 1, depressing one of buttons 88A-E will cause the compact disk player to perform the function or command represented by the corresponding icon 66A-E.

Exemplary operations of the control system will now be presented. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, button 74A is a dedicated climate system button; thus, depressing button 74A at step 100 will cause the control system 10 to operate in the first mode of operation that enables the driver or passenger of the vehicle to modify or change variable characteristics of the climate system.

In response to button 74A being depressed at step 100, the controller 82 causes the display 34 to remove the icons shown in quadrants 38A-D, and to display circular window 58′ surrounded by concentric ring 104, as shown in FIG. 3. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, icons 108A-E appear in ring 104. Each of icons 108A-E is a numeric indicator of an air temperature, in degrees Fahrenheit. A box 110 surrounds the icon 108A-E most closely representing the temperature at which the climate system injects air into the passenger compartment. In FIG. 3, the box 110 surrounds icon 108C; thus, the climate system injects air at 68 degrees Fahrenheit.

Rotating the outer dial at step 112 causes the controller 82 to transmit a signal to the climate system; the climate system is responsive to the signal to vary the temperature of air being injected into the vehicle passenger compartment at step 116. More specifically, rotation of the outer dial in one direction causes the air temperature to increase; rotation of the outer dial in the opposite direction causes the air temperature to decrease. Box 110 moves in response to the rotation at step 112 to surround the icon most closely representing the temperature at which air is injected into the passenger compartment. Thus, for example, if the air temperature is decreases to 65 degrees as a result of outer dial rotation at step 112, the box 110 will surround icon 108B, which is “65.”

Icon 120, depicted inside window 58′, is an alphanumeric indicator of the climate system fan speed. Rotating the inner dial at step 124 causes alteration of the fan speed at step 128, and thereby causes variation in the volume and speed of air entering the vehicle passenger compartment via the ducts and vents. More specifically, rotation of the inner dial in one direction at step 124 causes a decrease in the fan speed; rotation of the inner dial in the opposite direction at step 124 causes an increase in the fan speed. Icon 120 is responsive to rotation of the inner dial at step 124. Thus, for example, icon 120 may read “FAN SPEED 2” to indicate a lower fan speed, and may read “FAN SPEED 4” to indicate a higher fan speed.

Section 62 of display 34 displays air flow mode icons 132A-E. The push buttons 88A-E are depressible to select an air flow mode. Air flow modes correspond to locations at which air is injected into the passenger compartment. The icons 132A-E represent predefined or preselected air flow mode statuses. Icon 132A represents an air flow mode in which are is injected through the first set of vents under the instrument panel; icon 132B represents an air flow mode in which air is injected through the second set of vents formed in the instrument panel and directed generally rearward in the passenger compartment; icon 132C represents an air flow mode in which air is injected into the passenger compartment through both the first and second sets of vents; icon 132D represents an air flow mode in which air is directed toward the windshield through the third set of vents for defrosting; and icon 132E represents an air flow mode in which air is directed through the first and third sets of vents.

By depressing a corresponding push button (shown at 88A-E in FIG. 1), an air flow mode may be selected. The buttons 88A-E are arranged in generally the same spatial relationship to one another as the icons 132A-E in section 62. Depressing one of the buttons 88A-E at step 136 will change the air flow mode at step 140 to the air flow mode represented by the icon that is in a corresponding spatial relationship in section 62. Thus, depressing button 88A will cause the air flow mode to change to that which is represented by icon 132A, depressing button 88B will cause the air flow mode to change to that which is represented by icon 132B, depressing button 88C will cause the air flow mode to change to that which is represented by icon 132C, depressing button 88D will cause the air flow mode to change to that which is represented by icon 132D, and depressing button 88E will cause the air flow mode to change to that which is represented by icon 132E.

Referring to FIG. 4, depressing the audio system button once at step 144 causes the control system to operate in a second mode of operation wherein the inner and outer dials are rotatable to control, i.e., to vary or alter, audio system characteristics. Rotating the outer dial at step 148 causes the controller to alter the radio frequency to which the audio system is tuned at step 152. More specifically, rotating the outer dial in one direction will increase the frequency to which the audio system is tuned, and rotating the outer dial in the opposite direction will decrease the frequency to which the audio system is tuned. Rotating the inner dial at step 156 causes the controller to alternate between different radio frequencies stored in memory (i.e., “preset” stations) at step 160.

In the second mode of operation, the buttons shown at 88A-88E in FIG. 1 are each selectively depressible (step 164) to cause the controller to change to a respective preset station at step 168. Depressing one of the buttons shown at 88A-88E for longer than a predetermined duration at step 172 causes the frequency to which the audio system is tuned to be stored in memory as a preset station at step 176, and the button is thereafter depressible at step 164 to cause the audio system to tune to the station.

After the audio system button is depressed once at step 144, the controller causes the appearance of the display 34 to change, as shown in FIG. 5. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, window 58′ displays indicia 180 of the audio source to which the audio system is tuned, which, in FIG. 5, is the radio band and the frequency to which the audio system is tuned. Indicia 180 is responsive to manipulation of the dials and push buttons at steps 148, 156, and 164 to indicate the frequency to which the audio system is tuned. Section 62 includes icons. 184A-E that are numeric representations of predefined values for the frequency to which the radio is tunable, i.e., the frequencies of preset stations that are selectable at steps 156 and 164. Each of the stations represented by icons 184A-E corresponds to one of the push buttons shown at 88A-E in FIG. 1.

Thus, depressing button 88A at step 164 causes the audio system to tune to the frequency represented by icon 184A, depressing button 88B at step 164 causes the audio system to tune to the frequency represented by icon 184B, depressing button 88C at step 164 causes the audio system to tune to the frequency represented by icon 184C, depressing button 88D at step 164 causes the audio system to tune to the frequency represented by icon 184D, and depressing button 88E at step 164 causes the audio system to tune to the frequency represented by icon 184E.

Similarly, when a new preset station is set in step 176, one of the icons 184A-E changes to indicate the new preset station. Box 188 surrounds the icon 184A-E representing the preset station selected at steps 156 and 164.

Referring specifically to FIG. 4, depressing the inner dial at step 192 causes the controller to alter the band or audio source (e.g., a compact disk player) from which the audio system receives audio content at step 196. Thus, pressing the inner dial once will cause the audio system to select the AM band, and pressing the inner dial twice will cause the audio system to select the FM band at step 200. Pressing the inner dial three times will cause the audio system to select the compact disk player at step 204, and pressing the inner dial more than three times will cause the audio system to select one or more other sources, such as satellite radio, a hard disk drive, etc, at step 208.

When the compact disk player is selected at step 204, the display changes as shown in FIG. 6. Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, window 58′ depicts icon 212, which is an alphanumeric representation of which of several compact disks stored in the audio system is playing. Window 58′ also depicts icon 216, which is an alphanumeric representation of which track of the compact disk shown in icon 212 is playing.

Rotating the outer dial at step 220 causes the controller to alter the compact disk track being played at step 224, with a corresponding change to icon 216. Rotating inner dial at step 228 causes the controller to alter which of several compact disks stored in the audio system is played at step 232, with a corresponding change to icon 212. Depressing one of the buttons shown at 88A-E in FIG. 1 at step 236 causes the audio system to alter the compact disk track playing at step 240 according to a respective one of the commands represented by icons 66A-E in section 62. Depressing one of the buttons for longer than a predetermined time period at step 244 causes the command to continue at step 248 until the button is released. Thus, for example, if button 88C corresponds to the “rewind” command, represented by icon 66C, then holding button 88C in the depressed position will cause the audio system to “rewind” the compact disk until button 88C is released from the depressed position.

Referring to FIG. 7, depressing the audio system button twice at step 252 causes the control system to operate in a third mode of operation at step 256 in which rotating the outer dial (step 260) causes the audio system to adjust the level of fade at step 264, and in which rotating the inner dial (step 268) causes the audio system to adjust the balance at step 272. Those skilled in the art will recognize that “balance” refers to the difference in volume between left and right speakers within the passenger compartment, and that “fade” refers to the difference in volume between front and rear speakers within the passenger compartment. In the third mode, the display depicts icons representative of the balance and fade levels (not shown). The appearance of the icons representative of the balance and fade levels are responsive to rotation of the inner and outer dials at steps 260 and 268.

Referring to FIG. 8, depressing the audio system button three times at step 276 causes the control system to operate in a fourth mode of operation at step 280 in which rotating the outer dial (step 284) causes a change in the bass level (step 288) of the audio system speakers, and in which rotating the inner dial (step 292) causes a change in the treble level (step 296) of the audio system speakers.

Referring to FIG. 9, when in the fourth mode of operation, the display 34 depicts icon 300 in ring 104. Icon 300 includes an alphanumeric indicator “BASS” and a plurality of circles 304. A dot 308 is shown in one of the plurality of circles to indicate the bass level selected. The controller is configured to alter icon 300 in response to rotation of the outer dial at step 284. More specifically, rotation of the outer dial in one direction at step 284 causes a decrease in bass and a corresponding movement of dot 308 leftward to a circle closer to the “−” indicator 309. Rotation of outer dial in the other direction at step 284 causes an increase in bass and a corresponding movement of dot 308 rightward to a circle closer to the “+” indicator 310.

The display 34 also depicts icon 312 in window 58′. Icon 312 includes an alphanumeric indicator “TREBLE” and a plurality of circles 316. A dot 320 is shown in one of the plurality of circles to indicate the treble level selected. The controller is configured to alter icon 312 in response to rotation of the inner dial at step 292. More specifically, rotation of the inner dial in one direction at step 292 causes a decrease in treble and a corresponding movement of dot 320 leftward to a circle closer to the “−” indicator 332. Rotation of inner dial in the other direction at step 292 causes an increase in treble and a corresponding movement of dot 320 rightward to a circle closer to the “+” indicator 328.

Referring to FIG. 10, depressing the navigation system button once (step 336) causes a fifth mode of control system operation at step 340. In the fifth mode, the controller causes the display to depict a map (not shown), which shows the present location of the vehicle and a user-selected location of interest. Rotating the outer dial at step 344 causes the display to “zoom” the vehicle's present location on the map (step 348). Rotating the inner dial at step 352 causes the display to “zoom” the selected location of interest on the map (step 356).

Depressing the navigation system button twice (step 360) causes the control system to operate in a sixth mode at step 364 in which addresses stored in memory are available for selection. Rotating the outer dial at step 368 causes variation at step 372 in which of several predefined address categories is selected. Referring to FIG. 11, when in the sixth mode, the display 34 depicts icon 376 in ring 104, which indicates which address category is selected. When one of the categories is selected via rotation of the outer dial at step 368, indicia 380 in window 58′ is a list of addresses stored by the navigation system within the category selected at steps 368 and 372. Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, rotating the inner dial at step 384 causes variation at step 388 in which of the addresses shown in list 380 is selectable by depressing the inner dial at step 392. By depressing the inner dial at step 392, a map is shown on the display 34 at step 396 to indicate the location of the address selected at step 392. Steps 344 and 348 may then be performed to zoom the map generated at step 396.

Depressing the navigation system switch three times (step 400) causes the control system to operate in a seventh mode at step 404 in which points of interest stored in memory are available for selection. Rotating the outer dial at step 408 causes variation at step 412 in which of several point of interest categories is selected. Exemplary point of interest categories include fuel, lodging, food, etc. The display 34 depicts an icon (not shown) in ring 104 that indicates which of the point of interest categories is selected. When one of the categories is selected via rotation of the outer dial at step 408, a list (not shown) of points of interest within the selected category appears in window 58′. Rotating the inner dial at step 416 causes variation at step 418 in which of the points of interest shown in the list is selectable by depressing the inner dial at step 422. By depressing the inner dial at step 422, a map is shown on the display 34 at step 426 to indicate the location of the point of interest selected at step 422. Steps 344 and 348 may then be performed to zoom the map generated at step 426.

Referring to FIG. 12, an eighth mode of operation occurs when the driver information system button is depressed. The display 34 depicts icon 430 inside window 58′. Icon 430 is a numerical indication of the time to which the vehicle clock set. In the eighth mode of operation, rotating the outer dial alters the hour to which the clock is set. Rotating the inner dial alters the minutes for which the clock is set. Icon 430 is responsive to rotation of the inner and outer dials.

In a preferred embodiment, the amount of change in a variable characteristic is proportional to the amount of rotation of the corresponding switch. In a preferred embodiment, when a category or element in a list is “selected or selectable by performing another step, the controller causes the representation on the display 34 corresponding to the category or element to be highlighted, i.e., visually differentiated from the other categories or elements such as by size, color, etc.

Referring again to FIG. 1, dial 434 is selectively rotatable to alter the volume of the audio system speakers, and button 438 is selectively depressible to return the control system 10 and display 34 to the base mode and main screen as shown in FIG. 1. It should be noted that at least a portion of quadrants 38A-38D remain on the display in the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth modes of operation, as shown in FIGS. 3, 5, 6, 9, 11, and 12. The text “Climate,” “Audio,” “Navi,” and “Settings” remains on the display in the respective quadrants.

While the best modes for carrying out the invention have been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which this invention relates will recognize various alternative designs and embodiments for practicing the invention within the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A control apparatus for a vehicle characterized by a plurality of variable characteristics, the control apparatus comprising: first and second buttons being selectively depressible; a first dial and a second dial each being selectively rotatable about a common axis; a controller operatively connected to the first and second buttons and to the dial; wherein the control apparatus is configured such that depressing the first button causes the controller to operate in a first mode in which rotation of the first dial causes the controller to alter a first of said plurality of variable characteristics and rotation of the second dial causes the controller to alter a second of said plurality of variable characteristics; and wherein the control apparatus is configured such that depressing the second button causes the controller to operate in a second mode in which rotation of the first dial causes the controller to alter a third of said plurality of variable characteristics and rotation of the second dial causes the controller to alter a fourth of said variable characteristics.
 2. The control apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a display operatively connected to the controller, and wherein the controller is configured to cause the display to depict first and second icons in the first mode and not in the second mode, and second and third icons in the second mode and not in the first mode.
 3. The control apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first dial has a greater radial dimension than the second dial; wherein the controller is configured such that the display depicts a generally circular area and a generally annular area concentric with the generally circular area; wherein the first icon appears within the annular area and the second icon appears within the circular area in the first mode, and wherein the third icon appears within the annular area and the fourth icon appears within the circular area in the second mode.
 4. The control apparatus of claim 3, wherein the controller is configured to alter the appearance of the first icon in response to rotation of the first dial and to alter the appearance of the second icon in in response to rotation of the second dial when in the first mode; and wherein the controller is configured to alter the appearance of the third icon in response to rotation of the first dial and to alter the appear of the fourth icon in response to rotation of the second dial when in the second mode.
 5. The control apparatus of claim 1, further comprising third and fourth buttons being selectively depressible; wherein the controller is configured such that depressing either of the third and fourth buttons causes the controller to alter one of said plurality of variable characteristics in the first mode; and wherein the controller is configured such that depressing either of the third and fourth buttons causes the controller to alter a different one of said plurality of variable characteristics in the second mode.
 6. The control apparatus of claim 5, wherein depression of the third button causes the controller to change said one of said plurality of variable characteristics to a first preselected value or status in the first mode, and wherein depression of the fourth button causes the controller to change said one of said plurality of variable characteristics to a second preselected value or status in the first mode.
 7. An apparatus for a vehicle characterized by first, second, third, and fourth variable characteristics, the apparatus comprising: a control system including first and second buttons being selectively depressible; and first and second dials being selectively rotatable; wherein the control system is sufficiently configured such that depression of the first button causes the control system to operate in a first mode of operation, and depression of the second button causes the control system to operate in a second mode of operation; and wherein the control system is configured such that, in the first mode of operation, rotation of the first dial causes variation of the first variable characteristic and rotation of the second dial causes variation of the second variable characteristic; and, in the second mode of operation, rotation of the first dial causes variation of the third variable characteristic, and rotation of the second dial causes variation of the fourth variable characteristic.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the control system further includes a display; and wherein the control system is configured such that the display depicts a first icon representative of the first variable characteristic and a second icon representative of the second variable characteristic when the control system is in the first mode, and a third icon representative of the third variable characteristic and a fourth icon representative of the fourth variable characteristic when the control system is in the second mode.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the appearance of the first and third icons is responsive to rotation of the first dial; and wherein the appearance of the second and fourth icons is responsive to rotation of the second dial.
 10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the first dial defines a generally annular aperture, and wherein the second dial extends at least partially through said aperture.
 11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the vehicle is characterized by fifth and sixth variable characteristics, and wherein the control system is configured such that depressing the first button twice causes a third mode of operation in which rotation of the first dial causes variation of the fifth variable characteristic and rotation of the second dial causes variation of the sixth variable characteristic.
 12. A vehicle comprising: a first vehicle system having a first and second variable characteristic; a second vehicle system having a third and fourth variable characteristic; a third vehicle system having a fifth and sixth variable characteristic; a fourth vehicle system having a seventh and eighth variable characteristic; a control system including a screen having first, second, third, and fourth quadrants, and a window superimposed between the quadrants; the first quadrant configured to display information about the first and second variable characteristics, the second quadrant configured to display information about the third and fourth variable characteristics; the third quadrant configured to display information about the fifth and sixth variable characteristics, and the fourth quadrant configured to display information about the seventh and eighth variable characteristics; an input interface having a first button, a second button, a third button, a fourth button, an inner rotary dial and an outer rotary dial; wherein depressing the first button causes the control system to operate in a first mode in which the inner dial is rotatable to vary the first characteristic, the outer dial is rotatable to vary the second characteristic, and the window displays icons representing the first and second characteristics; wherein depressing the second button causes the control system to operate in a second mode in which the inner dial is rotatable to vary the third characteristic, the outer dial is rotatable to vary the fourth characteristic, and the window displays icons representing the third and fourth characteristics; wherein depressing the third button causes the control system to operate in a third mode in which the inner dial is rotatable to vary the fifth characteristic, the outer dial is rotatable to vary the sixth characteristic, and the window displays icons representing the fifth and sixth characteristics; and wherein depressing the fourth button causes the control system to operate in a fourth mode in which the inner dial is rotatable to vary the seventh characteristic, the outer dial is rotatable to vary the eighth characteristic, and the window display icons representing the seventh and eighth characteristics.
 13. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein the first button and the first quadrant have substantially the same shape, the second button and the second quadrant have substantially the same shape, the third button and the third quadrant have substantially the same shape, the fourth button and the fourth quadrant have substantially the same shape, and the inner and outer dials and the window have substantially the same shape.
 14. The vehicle of claim 13, wherein the quadrants and the windows have a predetermined spatial relationship with one another, and wherein the switches and the dials have substantially the same spatial relationship with one another.
 15. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein the input interface further includes a plurality of push buttons arranged linearly, and wherein the display includes a portion configured to display a first set of icons arranged linearly; wherein each of the icons represents a value of a ninth characteristic, and wherein each of the push buttons is depressible to cause the ninth variable characteristic to change to the value represented by a respective one of the icons. 